Hospice of Southwest Florida services are available
to everyone regardless of ability to pay. Medicare/Medicaid certified,
Hospice of Southwest Florida receives reimbursement from this source,
as well as from private insurance companies.

Patients on Hospice Medicare/Medicaid have all needs
relative to the primary illness covered with no deductibles or co-payment.
That includes medications, oxygen, hospital bed or any other needed
home medical equipment or supplies. The attending physician continues
to bill as usual.

Patients who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid
and have no private insurance coverage are eligible for hospice
care at no charge, and Hospice will implement all available means
to meet other related needs

Referrals

Family members, friends, healthcare professionals
or patients may request Hospice services. Although all patients
must have an attending physician for admission to the program, the
initial referral can come directly from someone close to the patient.

Each case is assessed on an individual basis to determine
the appropriateness for admission to this palliative care program.

Although hospice criteria allows for patients to
be admitted with a six-month prognosis, too often patients are referred
in the last weeks of their lives. The earlier a patient is admitted
to the program, the greater the benefit to the patient and family.